Mike Freelander (Macarthur, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Industrial Relations. Last week when I asked for the minister to help the Coles workers in my electorate who have been locked out of their workplace for three months the minister asked for further information, which I provided immediately. Minister, I've still heard nothing back. Why won't the government help these workers, who have no income as they approach Christmas? Surely these workers and their families deserve a better Christmas present than being locked out of their jobs?

Christian Porter (Pearce, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the member both for his original question and for that further question. I must say that the situation, upon further investigation, is more complicated than the member's question alerts the House to it being. It has a deep history. As I understand the situation—

Mr Thistlethwaite interjecting—

that particular area of operation—

Mr Thistlethwaite interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Kingsford-Smith will leave under standing order 94(a).

The member for Kingsford Smith then left the chamber.

Christian Porter (Pearce, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

That particular operational centre has been scheduled to close for some time. So, describing people as being 'locked out' of it is—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Macarthur on a point of order?

Mike Freelander (Macarthur, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes, on relevance. It's well known that that centre isn't due to close until 2023—in three years time.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Macarthur cannot use the opportunity of a point of order to add additional information. He had the opportunity for that in the 30 seconds available for the question.

Christian Porter (Pearce, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I think that's precisely the point, member: there is a scheduled closure of that operational centre. Indeed, the locking out is not about the closure; the issue is around a dispute of pay, and there are percentage differences in that dispute. That dispute has to be resolved through its normal channels, in the usual way set up in the Fair Work Act and through the Fair Work Commission, which is happening. Some consider that the offer is reasonable and others consider that it is not, but that is something that has to be resolved in the usual way.